Neural Cell News 12.28 July 18, 2018 | |
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TOP STORYAn In Vitro Paradigm to Assess Potential Anti-Aβ Antibodies for Alzheimer’s Disease Investigators combined the use of amyloid β-protein (Aβ)-rich aqueous extracts of brain samples from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients as a source of human Aβ and live-cell imaging of iPSC-derived human neurons to develop a bioassay capable of quantifying the relative protective effects of multiple anti-Aβ antibodies. [Nat Commun] Full Article | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)KIF20A/MKLP2 Regulates the Division Modes of Neural Progenitor Cells during Cortical Development The authors report that mitotic kinesin KIF20A/MKLP2 interacted with RGS3 and played a crucial role in controlling the division modes of neural progenitor cells during cortical neurogenesis. [Nat Commun] Full Article Pharmacological Reactivation of Inactive X-Linked Mecp2 in Cerebral Cortical Neurons of Living Mice The authors showed that pharmacological inhibitors targeting X chromosome inactivation factors (XCIFs) in the PI3K/AKT and bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathways reactivate X chromosome-linked methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) in cultured mouse fibroblasts and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived postmitotic Rett syndrome neurons. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Investigators found that, during entry into dendrites, axonally destined cargos move with a retrograde bias toward the cell body, while dendritically destined cargos are biased in the anterograde direction. [Dev Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract CIP2A Causes Tau/APP Phosphorylation, Synaptopathy, and Memory Deficits in Alzheimer’s Disease Scientists demonstrated that cancerous inhibitor of PP2A (CIP2A), an endogenous PP2A inhibitor, is overexpressed in Alzheimer’s disease brain. CIP2A-mediated PP2A inhibition drove tau/APP hyperphosphorylation and increased APP β-cleavage and Aβ production. [Cell Rep] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Scientists demonstrated that Bruton’s tyrosine kinase potentiates anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-mediated signaling in neuroblastoma, and increases ALK stability by reducing ALK ubiquitination. [Oncogene] Abstract The authors investigated whether loss of sterile alpha and TIR motif containing 1 (Sarm1) can mitigate motor neuron degeneration in the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS. They found no change in survival, behavioral, electrophysiogical or histopathological outcomes in SOD1G93A mice null for Sarm1. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract UHRF1 Licensed Self‐Renewal of Active Adult Neural Stem Cells Investigators demonstrated that the DNA methylation adapter UHRF1 is expressed in, and regulates proliferation of, the active but not quiescent pool of adult neural progenitor cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract Evaluation of In Vitro Neuronal Platforms as Surrogates for In Vivo Whole Brain Systems While in vitro cultures of dissociated cortical neurons may be appropriate for many types of pharmacological studies, researchers demonstrated that for some drugs, such as ketamine, this system may not fully capture the responses observed in vivo. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Press Release Scientists showed that brain extracellular matrix decellularized from human brain tissue facilitated the plasmid-transfection-based direct conversion of primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts into induced neuronal cells. [Nat Biomed Eng] Abstract The effect of leucine‑rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains (LRIG) on the proliferation of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells was addressed, as well as the possible mechanisms underlying the regulatory effect of LRIG2 on platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) signaling, another common oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathway in GBM. [Int J Oncol] Abstract Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Cancer Stem Cell News & ESC & iPSC News. | |
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REVIEWSBrain Organoids as Models to Study Human Neocortex Development and Evolution The authors present a review of organoid studies that focuses on cortical wall development, starting with a technical comparison between pre-patterning and self-patterning brain organoid protocols. [Curr Opin Cell Biol] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSZogenix to Submit Anti-Seizure Drug for Approval after Clinical Trial Confirms Benefit Zogenix has confirmed the efficacy of its experimental epilepsy drug in a second, late-stage clinical trial, paving the way for a marketing submission by the end of the year. [STAT News] Editorial SOM Biotech has announced the successful initiation of Phase IIa clinical trial of its repurposed compound SOM3355 for the treatment of the chorea movements associated to Huntington’s disease. [SOM Biotech] Press Release Neurotrope Inc. announced that the first patient has been enrolled into its confirmatory Phase II clinical trial with its lead Alzheimer’s disease drug, Bryostatin-1. [Neurotrope Inc. (PR Newswire Assocation LLC.)] Press Release Neuraly announced its launch to pioneer the development of disease-modifying agents for neurodegenerative disorders. The company’s pipeline is centered around NLY01, a potent, brain-penetrant long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist that has demonstrated promise as a neuroprotective agent for neurologic disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. [Neuraly (Business Wire Inc.)] Press Release The American Brain Tumor Association announced the funding of 19 new research grants at 14 different institutions. [The American Brain Tumor Association] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSHungarian Academy President Vows to Keep Fighting for Independence as Government Takes Control Hungary’s parliament approved an amendment that makes it legally possible to transfer a large part of the budget of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest to the country’s newly established Ministry of Innovation and Technology. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Cancer Geneticist Quits after Harassment Allegations Following numerous allegations that she harassed fellow employees, Nazneen Rahman, a cancer geneticist at the Institute of Cancer Research in the U.K., will leave her post. Rahman had already been on administrative leave since last November. Dozens of colleagues signed a letter last year describing bullying by Rahman. [The Scientist] Editorial Questions Raised about “Breakthrough” Therapies’ Clinical Support The FDAs “breakthrough therapy” designation has helped expedite the development and approval of more than 45 therapeutics in the last 5 years. But a study published in JAMA suggests that these interventions gain FDA approval on the basis of weaker clinical evidence than those that don’t have the breakthrough designation do—a finding that contrasts with public optimism about these drugs’ effectiveness. [The Scientist] Editorial Leaky Pipeline for Women Scientists Dries Up after They Win First Big Grant After they secure their first major research grant from the US National Institutes of Health, women are almost as successful as men at netting further awards from the agency, according to an analysis published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. [Nature News] Editorial
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